Taking the stand for the first time and responding to defence lawyer Peter Haynes, Dalton told Birmingham Crown Court yesterday that, on the night of the incident, the couple had returned from a drinking session at a local pub.

She said a row erupted when Mr Smith threatened to call her daughter and granddaughter to tell them she was "a druggie and an alcoholic".

When she got upset, she alleged he grabbed her by the throat before chucking his mobile phone to the floor and accusing her of breaking it.

After a few minutes, she said, she went to return a knife that was being used to wrap Christmas gifts.

Dalton said: "When I went into the kitchen he went to attack me. He said 'you stupid bitch' and punched me on the top of the head.''

When he went to strike her again she picked up a frying pan, she said. When it hit him and fell to the floor he went once more to beat her. That's when she claims she "lashed out'' with the knife.

Dalton added: "I didn't want to kill him. I just wanted him to stop. I was sick and tired of what was going on.''

The jury were then given a detailed account of their turbulent relationship.

Dalton claims the violence started not long after police discovered six cannabis plants in her flat in July 2006.

She said she took the blame because she wanted to "protect Duncan'' and one of his friends.

She alleges a row flared between the couple two weeks later while they were out drinking.

She left the pub to go home. Mr Smith followed.

Inside their flat she claims he grabbed her throat with two hands, pinning her to the bed.

Dalton said: "Then he punched me to the fore-head and punched my nose. He punched me quite a few times. I was shouting and screaming and told him to get off me and get out of my flat.''

She was then taken to hospital where she was treated for facial bruises and a gashed chin for which she needed five stitches.

She threatened to press charges but didn't when they patched up.

The court was then told of at least two other occasions when Dalton was attacked by Mr Smith.